Researchers analyzed data from two randomized controlled trials involving 400 people aged 15 to 55 years with first-episode psychosis. These participants had finished a two-year Early Intervention Service program and were then split into two groups: one continued with an additional year of EIS, while the other transitioned to standard care. The team assessed outcomes like employment, social functioning, and symptom severity over the next two years, with follow-up at three years.
The analysis found that those who received the extended year of EIS generally showed better results. Specifically, employment rates were higher, and scores measuring role functioning and social adjustment were improved compared to the group that moved to standard care. Younger patients also experienced greater reductions in overall symptom severity and general psychopathology during this period.
No safety concerns, adverse events, or discontinuations were reported in the available data. However, because the study did not report primary outcomes or absolute numbers, the practical impact on individual patients remains uncertain. Readers should understand that while extending care may help those with ongoing difficulties, this evidence comes from secondary analyses and should not be taken as a definitive rule for all treatment plans.
